On policy durability

By Blake ShafferAug. 13, 2018

For policy to be effective, it needs to withstand the whims of election cycles. No doubt there will be changes in direction—that is, after all, what voters are asking for when electing a new government.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured on Feb. 10, 2018, at the Manning Centre conference in Ottawa. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Doug Ford has been premier of Ontario for roughly a month, and already his legislative changes are creating a policy U-turn on many fronts. Cap and trade: cancelled. Green spending programs: gone. Some 758 renewable energy contracts: poof.

Gerald Butts has removed himself from the daily political grind of strategizing how to keep the Liberals in power. But observers say it's unlikely he will be consigned to watch the campaign unfold from the sidelines.

SNC-Lavalin risks a takeover if it's convicted. But aside from likely outrage in Quebec, Ottawa can find other builders for its infrastructure plans if the company is banned from bidding on federal contracts, experts say

The Quebec company had extensive access to government ministers and top staffers, and was the only organization registered to lobby for allowing deferred prosecution agreements for white collar crimes.